Storage container for granular materials

ABSTRACT

A portable storage device having a container housed within an outer substantially moisture-free container with a mechanism for insuring release of the cement or mortar in the inner container through coinciding perforations in the bottom and slide into a bucket dumped by a mechanism into a drawer which can be removed and emptied into the mixing box.

Road, Columbia, SC.

' [22] Filed: Mar. 29, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 128,678

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 818,951, April 24, 1969, abandoned [52] US. Cl. ..222/l96 [51] Int. Cl. ..B67d 3/00 [58] Field of Search 222/196-198, 201-203, 363, 368

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,815,891 12/1957 Handel, Jr. ..222/363 United States Patent [19] [11] 3,7 9

Taylor May 29, 1973 541 STORAGE CONTAINER FOR 2,207,120 7 1940 Greig ..222/202 GRANULAR MATERIALS 1,090,120 3/1914 Scott 1,748,543 2/1930 Devlin ..222/l96 x [76] Inventor: Robert A. Taylor, 6511 Merrill Primary Examiner-Stanley H. Tollberg Attorney-C. Gordon McBride [5 7] ABSTRACT A portable storage device having a container housed within an outer substantially moisture-free container with a mechanism for insuring release of the cement or mortar in the inner container through coinciding perforations in the bottom and slide into a bucket dumped by a mechanism into a drawer which can be removed and emptied into the mixing box.

4 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures.

PATENTED MAY 2 9 I973 SHEET 2 BF 2 FIG.4

FIG.

INVENTOR.

R0 ERT A.

ATTORNEY 1 STORAGE CONTAINER FOR GRANULAR MATERIALS This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 818,951 filed Apr. 24, 1969, now abandoned.

This invention relates generally to containers and more particularly to a portable storage container for cement or mortar.

It has been common procedure for many years to package cement and mortar in 100 pound paper bags and to transport them to a given locality from which the bags are distributed to given job sites. This packaging obviously is quite expensive and requires considerable expense in transporting and handling of the material. Furthermore, the packaging of cement and mortar in bats that are susceptible to absorption of moisture creates a problem for contractors utilizing the material in that the mortar or cement gets hard and is incapable of use which further increases the expense of the known type of packaging. Even when the bags of cement or mortar are stored in areas substantially out of the weather, there is still the absorption feature that cannot be overcome on most job sites. Obviously the storage of bags of cement or mortar at a job site before construction has been commenced leaves the material completely susceptible to weather conditions. Moreover, the storage of this material at a job site, generally remote from areas frequented by many people, provides a serious problem because of the susceptibility of the material to theft or unauthorized removal from the job site. It is also to be noted that storage in this manner is highly susceptible to vandalism.

In order to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art, the instant invention contemplates utilizing an outer container housing a smaller container therein which holds the mortar and is provided with an accurate measuring mechanism to measure quantities of cement or mortar and empty them into a drawer for movement to a mixing container.

It is an object of the instant invention to provide a portable storage container for cement or mortar.

Another object of this invention is to provide a portable storage container that is moisture tight and permits accurate measuring of mortar without waste and which is not subject to vandalism.

A further object of the instant invention is to provide a portable storage container for cement or mortar that accurately measures a quantityof cement or mortar and is constructed to prevent spilling or waste and locking of the container to prevent unauthorized removal of the material. A still further object of this inventionis to provide a portable storage container permitting rapid and accurate measurement of mortar stored in substantially moisture-free containers by utilization of a drawer for receiving a measured quantity of mortar from a bucket that is filled through a perforated bottom and slide which must coincide for the bucket to be filled.

Yet another object of the instant invention is to provide a portable mortar storage container having a container housed within an outer substantially moisturefree container with a mechanism for insuring release of the mortar through coinciding perforations in a bottom .and slide into a bucket dumped by a mechanism into a drawer which can be removed and emptied into the mixing box.

A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily understood by reference to the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a diagramatic side elevational view of the mechanism utilized in the instant invention;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of an alternative mechanism for that of FIG. 3, and

FIG. 5 is a partial side view taken on line 5--5 of FIG. 4.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIG. 1 wherein the instant inventive mortar container 10 is shown to include an outer container 12 of metal, fiber glass or suitable material having bottom 14 with corrugations or strips 15 to serve as legs for keeping container 112 above and out of contact with the ground. Top 16 is removable and fits over the sides of container 12 for providing a moisture tight enclosed volume. Opening 18 is utilized for filling inner storage container 20 and is provided with a hinged cap, not shown. Inner container 20 has angled sides 22 with reinforcements 24 thereon for a purpose to be more fully understood hereinafter. Bottom 26 is perforated throughout the area over bucket 34. Slide 28 is perforated and substantially covers bottom 26 and is mounted for sliding movement thereunder. Slide 28 has handle 30for inserting and removing slide 28 from beneath bottom 26. Angle stop 32 prevents the accidental removal of slide 28 and is fastened to the bottom thereof such that angle 32 prevents bucket 34 from being rotated when the perforations in bottom 26 and slide 28 coincide. Sliding bottom 28 is perforated such that the perforations in slide 28 and bottom 26 coincide when slide 28 is fully inserted. Accordingly, it is understood that the perforations in slide 28 are adjacent stop 32 and a non-perforated area would extend toward the left in FIG. 1 such that movement of slide 28 to the right seals the perforations in bottom 28. In this position stop 32 is to the right, FIG. 1, and bucket 34 is permitted to rotate.

Bucket 34 holds a predetermined amount of cement or mortar and is mounted beneath slide 28 and bottom 26 to receive mortar falling through the coinciding perforations. Sliding drawer 36 is located beneath bucket 34 and receives mortar from bucket 34 on rotation of the latter to permit emptying thereof.

Moisture absorbent granules 38 fill the void between outer container 12 and inner container 20 to assist in keeping the cement or mortar as dry as possible.

A pair of vibrator wheels 40 are mounted on shaft 44 in close juxtaposition to two opposite sides of inner container 20. Wedges 42 are spaced peripherally about wheels 40 on the inner side of wheel 40 such that wedges 42 will contact reinforcements 24 on sides 22. Flexible shafts mount wheels 40 to shaft 44. Shafts 70 are secured to shaft 44 by couplings 72 to provide a rigid connection which insures contact between wedges 42 and reinforcements 24 for vibration of inner container 20 as wheels 44 are rotated.

Shaft 44 has enlargement 45 at one end thereof for receiving the shaft from handle 46, see FIG. 3. Handle 46 slidingly engages enlargement 45 such that, when handle 46 is inserted toward wheels 40, rotation of the handle effects rotation of wheels 40. Gear 48 is mounted on handle 46 and mates with gear 49 when handle 46 is partially withdrawn from enlargement 45. Gear 49 is mounted on shaft 51 that is mounted on the side of outer container 12. A sprocket or pulley 50 is also mounted on shaft 51 for receiving chain 52 that extends from sprocket 50 to sprocket 54 mounted on shaft 55. Sprocket or pulley 54 includes two-faced gear 56 associated therewith for meshing engagement with two-faced gear and sprocket 58 which is mounted on shaft 59 extending perpendicular to shaft 55.

Chain 60 extends from sprocket 58 to sprocket 62 which is mounted on shaft 64. Shaft 64, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, is mounted and rigidly affixed to the bottom of bucket 34.

Referring to FIG. 1 it is seen that the interior of top 16, inner container 20, bucket 34 and drawer 36 are covered with a rubber, or other moisture resistant material, liner 70 to assist in maintaining a substantially dry environment for the cement or mortar stored within container 10. It is to be noted that glass eye 72, or a similar measuring device, may be properly connected and utilized for indicating the amount of cement or mortar remaining in inner container 20.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and wherein there is shown an alternative vibrator system. Inner container 22 is provided with outwardly extending projection 80 which provides a substantially vertical surface 81. Fixed ring 82 has mounting flange 84 which projects inwardly through aperture 83 in surface 81. The central portion of ring 82 has an aperture for receiving bearing 86 which is of conventional construction. Wedges 90 project outwardly and are spaced circumferentially spaced on ring 82.

Rotating ring 92 is fixedly attached to shaft 88 which is substantially equivalent to shaft 44 in the vibrator embodiment of FIG. 3. Wedges 94 are circumferentially spaced and extend inwardly from ring 92. Wedges 90 and 94 are located such that the respective sloped surfaces slide over one another and impact the surface of rings 82 and 92 to vibrate inner container 22. Each of rings 82 and 92 is constructed with spokes 96 connecting the wedge mounting portion to hubs 86 and 98, respectively.

. Blades 100, shown to be of helical configuration in FIG. 3, may be secured to shaft 44 or shaft 88 for a stirring movement of the material within container 22.

OPERATION Mortar container may be mounted on a truck or moved from one job site to another as is desired by the contractor. It is known to utilize bulk transportation of cement or mortar and when container 10 has been located at a job site it is a simple matter to bring the bulk transporting vehicle to the job site and fill inner container with the cement or mortar through opening 18. When inner container 20 is filled or has cement or mortar therein, slide 28 is in a partially retracted position such that perforations in bottom 26 and slide 28 do not coincide. When it is desired to remove cement or mortar from the container, it is merely necessary to push slide 28 inwardly to cause the perforations in bottom 26 and slide 28 to coincide. When the perforations in bottom 26 and slide 28 coincide, the individual withdrawing mortar from container 10 rotates handle 46 with the handle fully inserted such that wheels 40 are rotated and cause wedges 42 to encounter reinforcements 24 due to the resilience and flexibility of shafts 70. This action causes a vibration of inner container 20 such that the mortar will fall through the coinciding perforations in bottom 26 and slide 28.

The embodiment of vibrator apparatus shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 accomplishes substantially the same result as that of FIGS. 1-3. Rotation of handle 46 causes shaft 88 and rings 92 to rotatesuch that wedges 90 and 94 slide over one another to impinge on the respectively opposite wheel to vibrate projections and, therefore, inner container 22.

Once bucket 34 has been filled with mortar, the operator partially withdraws handle 46 from shaft enlargement 45 such that gears 48 and 49 mesh. Rotation of handle 46 in this position causes movement of chain 52 and the attendant sprocket and gear 54 and 56. Rotation of gear 56 effects rotation of gear and sprocket 58- to cause chain 60 to move and rotate sprocket 62. Since sprocket 62 is rigidly mounted on shaft 64, which is rigidly secured to the bottom of bucket 34, bucket 34 is caused to rotate and empty the mortar contained therein into drawer 36. It is to be noted that when slide 28 is fully inserted such that the perforations therein coincide with the perforations in bottom 26, angle stop 32 is at its innermost location and prevents the dumping of bucket 34 to prevent the undesired removal of mortar from inner container 20.

After bucket 34 has been emptied into drawer 36, continued rotation or a reversal of the rotation of handle 46 returns bucket 34 to the upright position and permits withdrawal of drawer 36. It is merely necessary then to carry drawer 36 to the location where a batch of mortar is being mixed and upon emptying drawer 36 an accurately measured amount of mortar can be mixed with the other ingredients to provide a wet batch of mortar or cement readily available for any use desired.

Thus, it is seen that the instant invention provides a substantially moisture free container for storing cement or mortar that may be easily and rapidly moved from one location to another. Installation of a lock on slide 28 and drawer 36 prevents the unauthorized removal of cement or mortar from inner container 20. Furthermore, the character of mortar container 10 prevents vandalism and permits storage of the mortar at the job site without concern as to any weather conditions that may be encountered. Moreover, the cranking, sliding bottom and drawer permit rapid and accurate measurement of the mortar to be used while preventing undue waste or spillage.

Many modifications and variations of the subject invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed as new and desired tobe secured by Letters Patent of the United States:

1. A storage container comprising: an outer container having a removable top; an inner container housed within said outer container; said inner container having reinforcements on slanted walls and a perforated bottom; measuring means associated with said inner container for accurately measuring a quantity of material released from said inner container; slide means for permitting relrease of material from within said inner container; means for vibrating said inner container to assist in release of material held therein;

receiving means for receiving the measured material; said vibrator means including mounting means on said inner container; fixed means attached to said mounting means and having outwardly extending projections thereon; and means secured on a shaft for alternating contact with said fixed means and said projections, whereby rotation of said shaft effects vibrations of said inner container.

2. The storage container of claim 1 wherein said vibrator means includes a pair of wheels mounted on a shaft; said wheels located on opposite sides of said inner container in juxtaposition to said reinforcements; handle means connected with said shaft to permit rotation of said shaft and wheels for vibrating said inner container means; and means for maintaining said wheels in juxtaposition to said reinforcements in insure contact thereof.

3. The storage'container means of either claim 1 wherein said measuring means comprises: a bucket for receiving the material; a shaft mounted on said bucket; said handle means having a gear thereon; chain and sprocket means connecting said shaft and said gear, whereby said handle means when rotated while in one position eflects movement of said vibrator means and when rotated while in a second position effects rotation of said shaft and emptying of the material in said bucket.

4. The storage container of claim 3 including stop means mounted on said slide means for preventing rotation of said bucket at undesirable times; and blade means on said shaft for stirring movement of the material within said inner container means.

$ *8 k t =i= 

1. A storage container comprising: an outer container having a removable top; an inner container housed within said outer container; said inner container having reinforcements on slanted walls and a perforated bottom; measuring means associated with said inner container for accurately measuring a quantity of material released from said inner container; slide means for permitting relrease of material from within said inner container; means for vibrating said inner container to assist in release of material held therein; receiving means for receiving the measured material; said vibrator means including mounting means on said inner container; fixed means attached to said mounting means and having outwardly extending projections thereon; and means secured on a shaft for alternating contact with said fixed means and said projections, whereby rotation of said shaft effects vibrations of said inner container.
 2. The storage container of claim 1 wherein said vibrator means includes a pair of wheels mounted on a shaft; said wheels located on opposite sides of said inner container in juxtaposition to said reinforcements; handle means connected with said shaft to permit rotation of said shaft and wheels for vibrating said inner container means; and means for maintaining said wheels in juxtaposition to said reinforcements in insure contact thereof.
 3. The storage container means of either claim 1 wherein said measuring means comprises: a bucket for receiving the material; a shaft mounted on said bucket; said handle means having a gear thereon; chain and sprocket means connecting said shaft and said gear, whereby said handle means when rotated while in one position effects movement of said vibrator means and when rotated while in a second position effects rotation of said shaft and emptying of the material in said bucket.
 4. The storage container of claim 3 including stop means mounted on said slide means for preventing rotation of said bucket at undesirable times; and blade means on said shaft for stirring movement of the material within said inner container means. 